Don Sachs Owners Thread

@aldnorab

Yes, if you have 2 outputs, you should probably put .5uf on one output for the 47K amp, and 1.33uf for the 130K amp, and mark them. You may wantto check with Don, but I believe that those values will give you better impedance matching, and minimize frequency roll off.

BTW, the old tubes you were using are okay for an older Freya preamp, due to its issues that need compensation. The tubes on the right are buffers and are less critical, the ones on the left should ideally be E-6SN7s and second to them, in current production tubes would, would be one of the various Treasure tubes. The E-6SN7s are going to just barely fit. The latest preamp addresses that.

Best Regards,

Lou

I threw out this question on the Linlai thread. Has anyone tried the non-Elite versions? I ordered set anyways to "have". 😎

@lous thanks. Wouldn't the cap values be reversed? Lower input impedance needs higher cap value?

Thanks,

aldnorab

@aldnorab I really have forgotten my formulas, but no, Don installed .47uf caps for a 50ohm load, and 1uf for a 100k ohm input amp. Then there's this;

The chart they show shows increased impedance with increased capacitance. 

Jumping the shark to a new topic, I did add a Purple fuse in the spring and it made a very nice improvement. Even more so when I added the contact treatment from High Fidelity.

I keep squeezing this preamp and it keeps giving me more. 

@bugredmachine good to know. Haven't tried any specialty fuses. What sonic benefits did you hear with the D. Sachs linestage?

Just noticed the ground connector on the back. Anyone have it connected? If so, what component.

Thanks,

aldnorab

I have my DS grounded to a 10 gang terminal bar, the shares 2-TT, phono pre-amp & my Pioneer sx-1280. Then connected to the ground @ the outlet. Works perfect!

@danmar123 interesting. If you unhook the ground at the D. Sachs does the noise level or sound quality change? I'm only running a ground wire from the turntable to phono stage.

What is the lowest input impedance anyone has happily used the DS Model 2 with? My lowest is 47K. Considered adding a class D amp for summer use. The highest input impedance I've found on an affordable one is 25K. One was 5K! Tubes don't like low input impedance. Don't want rolled off bass.

Thanks,

aldnorab

Not at all. I just made all grounds for sake of piece of mind. And yes 47k is my lowest. On my AMP, (Prima Luna) HP, I'm running KR's KT88 & loving the sound!

Keep in mind the ground tab on the preamp is the same as the ground on your IEC inlet and all the outer shells of every audio connector on the unit. Essentially they are all chassis ground and the electrical ground. So be careful to not create a ground loop from the IEC inlet back out to some other ground point on the electrical grid of your house.

I have my ground tab to a dead-ended EMI absorber (DIY) which is basically a galvanic (opposite a battery) cell. I have photos in another thread here somewhere. I don't really hear any benefit. My money was better spent on the purple fuse and the 2 ADD-Power Wizards.

Forgot to mention; running a 5852 tube is okay IF you have the proper resistor in place. My PCB has the old 1 ohm resistor and that is too high for the higher current 5852. You need a .1 to .22 ohm, 1 or 2 watt to be able to run both 6X5 and 5852 tubes.

I may have damaged my 1 ohm with the 5852 so I am replacing it this week. That resistor protects the transformer and rectifier per Don.

@bugredmachine , since I eliminated cable, there's no humming come from either my A/V or my analog. I use the terminal block for convenience, w/no harm done!

Thank you.

Shouldn't I only need 2?

I plan ahead in case of an oops or if I want to stagger, or...

I would have to stagger them. I just curious if 1 under each tube will be enough w/Psvane.

Is there anyone using 4 Linlai E with DS D2?

@danmar123 Yes - I have 4 LinLai tubes in my DS2.  I prefer two pairs of these to using Psvane 181-Tii, globes or Shuguang WE61n7 in the buffer position.

Cheers, Soren  

@mogelsvs ,Thank you.

It's tight but all four LinLai tubes fit without adapters etc. 

I did replace my rectifier resistor tonight. The previous one was, in fact, blown, and open. The new resistor is a 0.22 ohm.

It does not make noisy tubes quieter btw.

The D. Sachs D2 linestage sounds really great now that the 4 Linlai E 6SN7 tubes have broken in. It is large and imposing with such large tubes stacked on double socket savers. It takes up a lot more shelf room. The tubes seem to do everything darn well. My various old stock tubes might do 1 or 2 things better, but then really fall down in other areas. The Linlai are very even handed.

Bought a PS Audio S300 amp during their sale. It keeps the room a lot cooler than the 8 tube 6550 amp and Pioneer class A. Now it is a race between the linestage and Ayre Codex DAC for hottest component.

Thanks,

aldnorab 

Don told me that the buffers were not critical. If you have plenty of money, use whatever, but if not you may want to use a less expensive tube as a buffer.

@lous  good to know. After the 2nd set of Linlai finish breaking in, I will compare them to my other tubes. 

Thanks,

aldnorab 

Anyone know the power draw of the D Sachs preamp? Considering a power regenerator. 

Thanks,

Aldonrab

I asked Don a while back and was told one amp at the most.  

It uses a one amp slow blow or 2 amp fast blow. Does not pull much.  FYI, the most I ever measured a total system draw at full tilt Class A amps as well for ALL components was under 5 amps. SOmetimes components make a large draw on turn-on, but once running you would be surprised how little current you are running.

Thanks @mogelsvs ​​​​​@bugredmachine . Glad to know it doesn't draw much. Still undecided about the power regenerator. I have my own power transformer, out on the pole. But, things inside the house can also cause problems. The PS Audio is on sale this month. 

Thanks,

Doug A

Just acquired a DS pre with the rare HT bypass feature that I need for my setup.  Didn’t think I would one with the HT bypass so Christmas came early for me.  Very easy to enjoy this hobby with a wife that supports and also enjoys music as much as I do. 
 

I’m not sure what tubes are installed since I couldn’t make out but the previous owner thinks they are the Shunguang that Don ships.  The rectifier is a Sylvania. I have my Threshold 350e in output 1 and sub in output 2.  Not sure if I need to switch them around but I think it sounds good in this config.  I have the gain on both channels full throttle since Don’s instructions says that’s how he runs his pre and it makes it easier so need to count the clicks. 
 

Compared to my Placette passive pre (w/ht bypass) that I’ve had for 15yrs, the DS is definitely a qualitative upgrade in all areas.  Transparency, imaging, micro-detail, bass.  All the sonics of the Placette are still there but improved.  I was expecting better imaging but with the DS it had me realize how “loose” the imaging was with the Placette. 
 

I may try different tubes in the left sockets but am really enjoying right now.  Almost 2hrs since I turned on and it just keeps getting better.   The one thing I will be upgrading is the power cord.  Previous owner gave me a generic cord and on Don’s site he has a power cord for $89 and improves the ore by 20%.  Sounds like a no brainer. 
 

I’ll report back how the audio progresses but I don’t think I will be upgrading for another 10yrs or so. 

You should ask Don if your preamp has ODAM capacitors. If not you haven't heard anything yet.

I definitely will ask him @lous when I get the power cord.  I also need ask him for a screw and wrench for one of the knobs.  One of them fell off and noticed it was missing the screw.  Prior owner didn’t mention this but this is a very easy fix. 
 

I also like how my casing is in black which I prefer and not silver. 

I may have some set screws if he's on vacation, but finding them may take a miracle. My work area is a disaster area.

Very kind of you.  If I can’t source any, I’ll be sure to reach out to you. 
 

I’m on my 3rd hour and an improvement just happened where soundstage detail in the back got clearer. 
 

That's interesting, has it been broken in? Since you recently re-tubed your DAC, it may be its tubes improving. The DS2 shouldn't be shifting sound in my experience unless something has been changed.

I’m unsure how many hours the DS has.  The prev owner didn’t provide much info on the questions I was asking. Just that there weren’t any issues.  For the price, I got it, I was taking a bit of gamble.  Especially since he wanted to do COD which I didn’t know still existed.  
 

good point about the  dac tubes breaking in too.  I’m using Sylvania 6201 gold pins

I’ve been listening for a couple of hours today and am really enjoying the transparency.  Big, wide, deep soundstage.  The accuracy of how instruments sound.  I can hear differences in piano tonality.   Prior, a piano sounded like a piano   Now a piano sounds like a Steinway, Yamaha, etc. The bass digs.   Looking forward to the suggested updates to the DS to be done.  
 

Sometime tonight, I need to take a break so I post an ad for my Placette passive and to do some house chores 

You'll be amazed if you're DS2 doesn't have the ODAM caps already. That's where I am now. It's so good that improvements surprise me, it escapes reason because it sounds so close to live as it is! Don is using Spatial Audio now, so I suppose that I could find an improvement there, but that's more than I am willing to pay, and they don't appear to be making them, or anything as Clayton is apparently in the hospital. The tubes I told you about will give fuller sound without sacrificing detail. It's as if the tubes you have run out of steam before the instruments should, but until you hear them, you won't believe it because the Chinese tubes are very good. If I had not heard the other tubed I would have been quite content with them.

I sent an email to Don asking about upgrades and my remote. My remote stopped working and thought it was dead batteries. Replaced them and still don’t work. In my music listening excitement, I got startled how good the vocals and emotions that was coming through from Josh Groban’ Noel album that my remote feel between the cusions. When I took it out, that’s when it stopped working.

is there a button sequence to pair the remote or is my remote just busted?

@rbautista congratulations on the DS preamp. It is quite an ear opener. I think the remote is set to the preamp and doesn't have to be "paired" . Don't believe there is any way to change this. Bummer. Since you changed the batteries, the only other thing I can think of is try cleaning the remote's IR window. A long shot, but easy to do. 

Good luck,

aldnorab

Someone suggested unplugging, wait a few minutes and plug back in. Hoping that resets the Khozmo so the remote starts working again 

I tried the unplug suggestion in hopes something would reset.  Left it unplugged over night and no dice.  I sent an email to Roy if he has any suggestions while I wait for Don to reply to my remote and upgrade questions. 
 

Fingers crossed this could be resolved by getting a new remote and not send in to Don. 

I hope that you are able to get it working. One other thing to try would be contact cleaner. 

Just want to say that both Don and Roy provide wonderful customer service with their helpfulness and insight.

I shouldn't have left it there. Roy designed Don's preamp, but he was content with it. He's a genius to be sure, and certainly quite knowledgeable. Don is as well, but his genius is perfecting things, and you have to be unbelievable knowledgeable to do so. They are similar, yet different.

Now that I think about it, I haven't contacted Roy in years, his outlook may have changed. I may be talking about a Roy from a different era.

I'm pretty sure that Roy used John Broskie’s buffer stage, Broskie is the real genius.

Well, unless we’re talking Nelson Pass, most circuits are based upon other designs. Cascade amplification, according to Stan Warren, was designed by Nelson who never patented it, and the vast majority of solid state amplifiers reportedly use it. In tubes, I believe that most refer to an old RCA publication as a start. So sure, Roy may have used an existing design to start with, most do, but he blew it up into a fantastic design, Don made further refinements and turned into a state of the art preamp. Bless them all, IMO.

Input tube question. What I want is a more middle to front presentation. Currently, I feel like I’m standing right up against the stage in a concert.

The Shuguangs sounds really good paired with the 6201 Sylvania GOld Brand in my Lector DAC. I tried RCA’s in the dac. It gave the middle-front presentation I’m looking for but timbre for instruments don’t sound the same as the 6201 and the hoghs are rolled off a bit.

I’m thinking of rolling the input tubes as a starting point. 2 recommendations to me are

Ken Rad vt-231 clear glass

RCA 6sn7GTB 1950’s short bottle

Looking for other recommendations to get the same timbre and realism as the Shuguang but more middle-front hall presentation.  Also thoughts on the 2 current recommendations 

I was able to purchase a replacement remote from Roy.  I am thankful for his outstanding customer service.  I may have a Don Sachs pre but he was willing to help out on diagnose.  I also purchases one of his power cords which helped tame the slight forwardness (not brightness’s)I was experiencing. 

I may still get the KR tubes but no urgency now.  Will sit back and enjoy for now. 
 

hope the rest are having great holiday.  

Anyone rolled the rectifier?

My version uses the 6x5gt and came with JAN Sylvania 6x5gt/vt-126b.

I know newer versions use a different rectifier but Mr. Sachs doesn’t do upgrades anymore due to being semi-retired. He explained to me he will fix my pre if it’s broken but will not do upgrades.

any recommendations if it’s worth upgrading the Sylvania. I was thinking RCA vt126 or Mullazrd ez35.

The only true upgrade, other than a modification allowing the use of a 6BY5 would be the Bendex 6X5 compatible rectifier. I believe that they run about 100 or 200 dollars.

Lou